Starbucks today announced the latest offering of the Starbucks mobile platform with the launch of Starbucks for Android app providing more consumers access to purchase Starbucks products via mobile. In addition, the company announced that Safeway, Inc., one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, plans to rollout mobile payment in July at nearly 1,000 Starbucks in Safeway supermarkets across the United States, including the company’s Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Genuardi’s stores.

Starbucks for Android is available through Android Market for Android phones running 2.1 or above and follows the successful rollout of Starbucks Card Mobile Apps on other platforms. With mobile payment capability at nearly 6,800 U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks Target locations, bringing mobile payment to Starbucks Safeway stores will extend the reach of Starbucks mobile payment to roughly 9,000 Starbucks locations across the country.

“The expansion of our mobile payment footprint has been driven by customer interest and input. With the addition of Starbucks for Android to the Starbucks app line-up, a Starbucks mobile payment app may now be used on approximately 90 percent of smartphones currently in use,” said Adam Brotman, vice president, general manager, Digital Ventures at Starbucks Coffee Company. “Starbucks is committed to providing customers richer experiences — both in our stores and on-the-go. By expanding mobile payment capabilities to Android smartphones and with Safeway now offering mobile payment in its close to 1,000 Starbucks locations, we’re giving customers the opportunity to experience mobile payment in more ways and at more Starbucks locations.”

Starbucks for Android, available from Android Market, is available for Android phones running 2.1 or above and is designed to offer a rich user experience, specifically addressing Android interaction paradigms including device hardkeys and action bar softkeys. Starbucks for Android allows users to:

— Pay with your phone: Enjoy the fastest, more convenient way to pay at nearly 6,800 company-operated stores as well as more than 1,000 Target stores and coming this summer to nearly 1,000 Starbucks locations in Safeway stores. Just download the app, enter your Starbucks Card number, scan and go.

— Manage your card account: Access your Starbucks Card balance directly from your phone.

— Reload your card balance: Use your smartphone to reload your Starbucks Card using any major credit card.

— Check your My Starbucks Rewards status: Find out how close you are to earning your next free drink.

— Find nearby Starbucks stores: Save time by finding a Starbucks store near you.

The introduction of Starbucks for Android and expansion to nearly 1,000 Starbucks in Safeway stores was fueled by customer requests and the growing customer interest in mobile wallets. “We’ve received a tremendous number of requests on MyStarbucksIdea for a Starbucks app for Android,” says Brotman. “We’re excited to introduce an Android app that our customers can use as part of their daily routines.”

Starbucks mobile offerings build on the popularity of the Starbucks Card and My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program. Today, one in five transactions in U.S. Starbucks stores are paid for with a Starbucks Card. “Our customers have shown us that they love the utility, convenience and fun of our mobile apps and especially the ability to pay with their Starbucks Card using a smartphone. My Starbucks Rewards members, in particular, have been quick to adopt mobile payment as part of their everyday visit,” says Brady Brewer, vice president Starbucks Card and Loyalty. “While mobile payment is the top feature, customers’ next favorites are the ability to reload their Starbucks Card and track their progress toward their next free drink in the My Starbucks Rewards program.”

Starbucks for Android is available for Android phones running 2.1 or above.

Source: Business Wire